Pomona Unified planning for a gradual increase in programs, services

POMONA>>After several years of cuts, Pomona Unified School District will gradually start restoring programs and services that will allow it to continue improving academic achievement and prepare students for college or to enter the workforce upon graduation.

Stephanie Baker, the district’s deputy superintendent of instructional services, updated Board of Education members this week on Pomona Unified’s development of its Local Control Accountability Plan.

The plan, a document districts must prepare as part of the state’s changes in funding school districts, is being developed with the participation of district parents, teachers, students, residents and others.

A final draft is expected to go to the school board for approval in June, Baker said.

The exact amount the district will receive in state funding for the 2014-2015 academic year has not been set and could change this month as part of revisions to the state’s budget.

However, the school district estimates it could receive about $15 million more than it did last year, said Ryan Hightower, district spokesman.

In June 2013, district officials adopted a $330.1 million budget for the academic year that is coming to an end.

Baker said the dollars are “not additional money.”

“This is restoring school funding to a level where it was before the budget crisis,” she said.

The funding will allow the district to begin making changes in programs and services in time for the start of the 2014-2015 academic year and begin work on three goals -- improving academic achievement, having student learning that is supported by highly qualified teachers and staff, and making sure students have access to safe and equitable learning environments along with support systems that will ensure they are ready for college or the work force.

With the help of the plan the district has “the opportunity to ask guiding questions” and plot a course to achieving those goals, Baker said.

The plan will take time to carry out but in the first year the district will take a number of steps that include using online learning tools, reducing the staff to student ratios at certain grade levels and in some subject areas offering full-day kindergarten.

More professional development programs for teachers and classified personnel will be offered.

Having technology resources that assist parents and help them become involved in school and having resources to address students health needs are among improvements that are expected to be in place in the coming months, Baker said.

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The plan will be reviewed annually and adjusted as needed, Baker said.

The school district “will definitely be doing some rebuilding,” said School Board President Frank Guzman. “More than rebuilding we’ll be restoring.”

Guzman said district parents and residents must not think Pomona Unified will receive a windfall in state funds and unlimited resources.

“I don’t want to promise the world to people,” he said.

The district will receive more funding than it has in past years but it could still lose money in coming years if enrollment continues to decline and as a result of other factors, Guzman said. For several years the district has experienced a decline in enrollment.

Guzman said the Local Control Accountability Plan has given residents, parent and others who have contributed their opinions ownership of the document and a greater understanding of the district’s planning and budgeting process.

Among the things parents and students will soon see is the expansion of school library hours. Currently, school libraries are open nine hours a week, a level that Guzman said is no where near what is needed.

“Nine hours a week, that’s nothing,” he said.

Expanding those hours will allow students to make greater use of library resources and learn to use it for research purposes.